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August, 2004
Marooned

I first visited the Maroon Bells area of Central Colorado with my parents when I was a young boy, and first hiked it over twenty years ago. I saw my first mountain goats there, and found it one of the most enchanting places I've ever seen. I've longed to return ever since, and last month I finally got the chance. Joining me on the difficult hike were my old hiking buddies, Robert Johnson and James Frank.

This is one of the most recognizable views in Colorado, looking over the wild flowers surrounding Maroon Lake to the spectacular, 14,000-foot peaks of the Maroon Bells. Unlike most of the granitic peaks of Colorado, these steep mountains are made of deep red sandstone.

Less frequently seen, but just as impressive, is the view from the summit of 12,400-foot Buckskin Pass, looking across to Snowmass and Hagerman Peaks, as well as placid Snowmass Lake, at bottom right. Even at this elevation, the alpine wildflowers are beautiful and abundant.

Combine a perfect environment for wildflowers with an unusually wet summer after several years of drought and you get an eye-popping display of color and form. The Indian paintbrushes pictured below interbreed to produce blooms (actually colored leaves) of every hue imaginable.

The "sunflowers" in the foreground of the shot above are in the genus Rydbergia, the leaves of which grow barely two inches, but the flowers can be four inches across. In the background is Capitol Peak.

While the colorful wildflowers are a feast to our eyes, they are a feast to the stomach for the marmots that live in this challenging environment year-round. One can be seen in the center of this photo, seemingly trying to decide where to start.

Marmots are commonly seen sitting on rocks and giving their distinctive whistling call. We got a rare chance to watch these two digging by this alpine spring, eating the roots of the marsh marigolds, mostly on the right bank.

Clouds build over the glacial-carved slopes of Snowmass Peak. Afternoon thundershowers are one of the most common but most serious threats at high altitudes. We had to wait out one of these storms before recrossing Buckskin Pass.

Raindrops bead up on one of my favorite flowers, chiming bells.

Another high alpine pass led us to a beautiful valley filled with Willow Lake (center right) and innumerable large ponds, set against the backdrop of tall peaks and sheer red cliffs. The small, wind-stunted trees in the foreground, referred to as krummholtz ( a German word meaning "flag trees"), are the same species that grow over 100 feet tall at lower elevations.

Growing in the crevices of the red sandstone at the top of Willow Pass is the aptly named sky pilot, the flowers of which mirror the deep blue skies above.

This unnamed 13,000-foot peak provided some spectacular shots. The white stone at the top is a granite intrusion in the red sandstone.

What looks like a reflection in this photo is actually a second butterfly. This pair remained in love's embrace while the two fed and even flew from flower to flower. "Live for today" appears to be the butterfly motto.

On the way back to camp one evening we came upon this porcupine munching on fireweed plants. Other than turning its quilled back to us, it didn't mind that we walked by within inches.

Fluffy clouds and clear, afternoon sunlight flood the sheer face of Pyramid Peak, the third 14,000-foot peak within a two-mile radius, one of the densest concentrations of tall peaks in the United States.

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